The hiring process at Rakuten takes an average of 14 days when considering 2 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Candidates applying for Administrativo had the quickest hiring process (on average 14 days), whereas Administrativo roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 14 days).
The first interview is a video recording interview.
These were only six questions, and you will have two min to answer each question:
1. Please talk a little bit about yourself?
2. Why you want to work in Rakuten?
3. What is the biggest accomplishment you've made in your life?
4. What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your life?
5. What kind of business person you would like to be in the future?
6. What is the reason for study Japanese? (You need to answer this question in Japanese.)
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Even you chose to conduct the interview in English, the very last question needs to answer in Japanese.
I applied in-person. The process took 5 months. I interviewed at Rakuten (Tokio) in May 2013
Interview
Went to a career fair in Tokyo, and submitted my resume. Then took some online tests through the Rakuten My Page. The tests were impossible to fully complete in the time limit, so I think the point was just to test under pressure.
After that, had an interview via an app called Wozer, or something. It was just pre-recorded questions, and then I had a limited time to record and answer. It was stressful because it was very impersonal. I thought I did terrible on that, but after that, had a second interview with a real person via Skype.
Since their internal language is English, and it is my first language, I decided to do all my interviews in English. The 2nd interview via Skype started out in English, but a few minutes in, the slightly nervous Japanese interviewer asked if we could continue in Japanese. It was a bit nerve-racking, but the questions were the same as they would ask in English. I felt pretty good about the interview, but two days later was told they weren't interested.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
In Japanese, "What is your strongest point? Can you give me an example?"
I first found out about Linkshare from an online posting. From there, I submitted a resume and cover letter to be considered. I was then contacted by HR. The department seems to be really nice and trying their best to present the company as appealing to college students. I had my first round interview with HR. Within a week, I had my second round interview with the specific manager for my role.